Apparatus for filling receptacles



8`\- sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR Feb. El, 1936. L.' e. wlN'roN APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 50, 1931 Feb. 1l, 1936. L., B. wlNToN APPARATUS FOR FILLNG RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 30, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 RNE Feb. 11, 1936. L. B. wlNToN 2,030,084

APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES i Filed Oct. 30, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 lil INVENTOR Feb. 11, 1936. L, B, WINTON y 2,030,084

APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 30, 1931 `8 Sheets-Sheet, 4

INVENTOR L. B. Wno n ATTORN Y Feb. 11, 1936.0. l B W|NT0N 2,030,084

APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPVTACLES Filed 001,. 30, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORN Y Feb. 11, 1936. y f L, B, w|NToN 12,030,084

Y APPARATUS Fon FILMNG REcEPTAcLEs Fii'edloci. so, 1931 s sheets-sheet e INVENTOR LB Winton 55 4f 39 ATToR Y Feb. 11, 1936. L. B. WINTON APPARATUS FOR FILLING` RECEFIJACIJES 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 30, 1951 0 ily/f lNvENToR .LE Wznon BY V0 j AT ORNE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 L. B. WINTON APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES Filed Oct. 50, 1931 Feb. 11, 1936 www...

Pefented` Fel.` 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '2,030,084 APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECPTACLES Application October 30, 1931, Serial No. 571,965

21 Claims.

'This invention relates to apparatus for filling and closing receptacles, and while it is adapted for the lling and sealing of various materials into receptacles it is particularly adapted for the packaging of orange juice.

As is well known in the squeezing of juice from oranges air is entrained and mixed with the juice, land that ora-nge juice in the presence of air will quickly deteriorate and spoil. To overcome the l contamination of the-orange juice by contact with air the Aorange juice is treated to free it of entrained air and it is stored in said condition out of contact with air.

In apparatus for lling liquid into receptacles l so far as is known heretofore a tank has been utilized to contain thev liquid to be lled into the receptacles and the tank is arranged with a device or devices to tap or discharge the liquid from the tank in successive measured quantities, the tank 20 being connected with a source of liquid supply and such connection regulated by a oat actuated valve in the tank to maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the tank. In this type of iilling apparatus the space above the liquid in the tank is filled with air and the tapping or discharging device or devices at times are also open to the air with the result that there is an entrainment and mixing of air with the liquid as it is discharged from the tank and filled into the r i0 ceptacles.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide improved apparatus for filling material into receptacles, particularly adapted to ll into receptacles orange juice treated to free it of i5 air mixed therewith during the squeezing of the juice from the fruit and while maintaining the orange juice out of contact with air during the filling operation to prevent entranment and mixing of air therev'ih-and seal the orange juice 1n receptacles free o1 air.

In carrying out this feature of the invention there is provided an air tight ller tank and a Vsource of inert gas supply connected with the tank to lill the space above the liquid in the tank 5 with such gas and displace the material discharged or tapped from the ller tank with such gas, and the provision of means to maintain the 'tank sealed from the atmosphere during the discharge of the liquid from the tank and the in- 0 terim of the discharge of the material, and it is a further object of the invention to provide an improved device for discharging or tapping the material from the tank in successive predetermined measured quantities, and' means for actuating the same whereby the discharge device and viilled receptacles to the closing means.

thereby the tank through said discharge device are sealed from the atmosphere by the material lled into a receptacle during the period of discharging a measured quantity of material, and adapted to trap a portion of the material in the 5 discharge device after the measured quantity has been discharged to seal the tank from the atmosphere through said discharge device, and to the construction and arrangement of said device whereby it may be readily disassembled andwdisconnected' from its actuating means therefor for readily cleansing and as readily reassembled.

The invention is particularly adapted for the filling and closing of receptacles as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,699,549, issued January 22, 1929, wherein the open end of the receptacle is adapted to be collapsed to close the receptacle after it is .lled by squeezing together the opposite wall portions at the open end and maintained in closed condition by engaging and clamping a V-shaped closure member over the closed receptacle end, the receptacle being transported by a air, which air in the packaging of orange juice `wil1 contaminatethe orange juice andcause it 30 to quickly spoil.

It is a further object of the invention to provide at the closing means in apparatus for lling 4and closing receptacles, means connected with the inert gas supply connected with the ller tank to inject said gas into the receptacle and displace air above the contents of the receptacle prior to closing the same.

In apparatus of this character a receptacle support is provided below the filling means and from which support the'receptacles after they are filled are transferred to a conveyer for transporting the In some instances due to the improper positioning of the receptacles relative to the transferring means a receptacle is upset, and it is a further object of the invention to provide improved means for re movably supporting Aa pan below the receptacle supportand filling means to receive the contents 50 tate such connection for readily cleaning the same.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a front elevation of receptacle lling and closing apparatus with an embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus looking at the left of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the iiller tank taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows to show the manner of connecting a cover in air tight connection therewith and the connection means for the inert gas supply.

Figures 4 to 8, inclusive, are sectional views ol a device for discharging or tapping the material from the tank in successive measured quantities and showing the parts in diierent positions relative to the ller tank and a receptacle on the receptacle support.

Figures 9 and 10 are detail views in side elevation, partly in section and broken away, of the actuating means for and the connection thereof with the discharge device.

Figure 11 is a detail view in perspective on an enlarged scale of a discharge device and the connection of the device with its actuating means. certain parts' being shown in section and other parts in dissembled relation.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-l2 of Figure 11 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the discharge end of a discharge device with the means to control the discharge of the material therefrom and showing the same entering a receptacle prepara tory to discharging the material therefrox.. into the receptacle.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 13, but showing the discharge device as engaging the bottom of a receptacle and the means to control the discharge of the material therefrom actuated to open the discharge means to discharge the material into the receptacle.

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view of the discharge means taken on the line I5-I 5 of Figure 13 looking in the direction of the arrows.

'Figure 16 is an elevational view showing the connection of the ller tank with a supply tank and the connections of said tanks with an inert gas container, and the supply tank and gas container being shown in section.

Figure 17 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a receptacle collapsing means to close the same and means associated therewith connected with the inert gas supply of the iiller tank to displace the air by said gas above the contents of a receptacle prior to closing the same.

Figure 18 is a detail View, partly in section, to 'show the manner of injecting the inert gas into and displacing the air by the gas in the space above the contents of a receptacle.

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18, but showing the receptacle after it has been closed and sealed.

Figure 20 is a view taken substantially on the line 2li-Nef Figure 19 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 21 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line `2|2| of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the means to control the connection in Figure 3.

of the inert gas supply with the means at the closing means to displace the air by said gas above the contents of a receptacle and showing the same open to the gas supply.

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 21, but showing the parts in position to shut `off the gas supply.

Figure 23 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially centrally through Figure 21.

Figure 24 is a plan view to show the arrangement of the receptacle support relative to the iiller tank and conveyer for transporting the receptacles from the ller means to the closing means, and the'means to transfer the receptacles from the receptacle support to the conveyer and the connection thereof with its actuating means.

Figure 25 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 25-25 of Figure 24 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 26 is a plan view to show the arrangement of the receptacle support relative to the links of a pair of chains of the receptacle conveyer; and

Figures 27 and 28 are detail views in section of means to removably connect the receptacle transferring means to its actuating means.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated the operative mechanisms are mounted upon a table T supported by standards S connected b5' ,tie members 29, and they are driven from a motor M connected by a sprocket chain 30 passing around sprocket wheels on the motor shaft anal a shaft 3| having a worm wheel connection with a drive shaft 32.

The ller means is arranged at one end of the table and comprises an air tight liquid carrying tank 33 supported by brackets 34 in superposed relation to a supporting shelf 35 for receptacles R, which support is mounted on brackets 36 xed to the table T to extend in parallel and laterally spaced relation to said table. The ller tank is open at the top and is closed by a. removable cover plate 33' releasably secured to the tank by bolts with an interposed gasket, as shown at 3l The tank is connected with a supply tank 38 (Figure 16) containing the material to be filled into the receptacles, and in the present instance comprising orange juice which has been treated to free it of air entrained or mixed therewith during the process of squeezing the juice from the fruit, the juice in the process of treatment being lled into the tank 38 through a ller pipe 39 arranged with a shut off valve. The supplytank 38 is located at a higher level than the filler tank 33 and is connected therewith by a pipe 40 leading from the bottom of the supply tank connected with the ller tank at a point intermediate the top and bottom, said connection being regulated to maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the ller tank by a valve 4I controlled by a float 42. 'Ihe supply and iiller tanks are connected with a source of suitable inert gas under pressure, carbondioxide `or nitrogen having been lfound suitable, to ll the space in said tanks which is not'displaced by the liquid therein. For this purpose there is provided a gasometer comprising a. tank 43 and a bell 44 suspended in the tank 43, and counterbalanced by a. weight 45 connected therewith by a cable 46 passing over pulleys mounted on a suitable sup- F is usual by an increase and decrease of gas in the bell it is raised and lowered in the liquid in tank 43 and the weight of the bell serves to place the gas under pressure. The gasometer is connected by suitable means with the filler and supply tanks, as by a. pipe 48 connected with the pipe 41 and connected with a T-coupling 49 connected to a nipple 50 (Figure 3) in air tight connection with an opening in the cover plate 33 of the filler tank, the outer end of the T-coupling being closed by a. removable plug 5 I, and said connection having a shut off valve, shown in a conventional manner at 52. is through a pipe 53 connected with the pipe 48. Prior to lling the treated orange juice into the supply tank the air is displaced by the inert gas, the ller tank being shut off from the supply tank and the source of gas supply by valve 52. 'Ihe plug 5I is then removed from the ller tank and liquid is lled into said tank until it overflows from the T-coupling 49 and all of the air is displaced by liquid in the tank, when the plug is secured in place. The filler tank is then connected with the gasometer by opening Valve 52 and liquid is drawn from the filler tank until the liquid reaches a level that the quantity is regulated by the flow control valve 4l for the pipe 40, the liquid discharged from the tank being displaced by the ga's from the gasometer.

With the filler tank in said condition, that is, the space above the liquid filled with the inert gas, the liquid is discharged or tapped from the tank and lled into receptacles on the support in successive predetermined measured quantities to conform to the size oi the receptacles to be filled, for which purpose there is provided a combined measuring and nozzle device, a series of such devices being used, there being six in number in the present instance to simultaneously fill a. corresponding number of receptacles. Each of said measuring and nozzle devices comprises a pair of tubes or tubular members of different diameters 55, 56, the tubular member of greater diameter 55 being mounted to have sliding movement and a substantially liquid tight feed in a nipple 5l secured in liquid tight connection in an opening in the bottom of the tank, one end of the tubular member being open to the tank and supported lat the opposite and outer end in a bore enlargement in a support or carrier therefor in the form of a. collar 58. The other tubular member or tube 56 is mounted in a support or carrier in the form of a collar 59 to have a driving fit therein whereby the tube may be adjusted relative to its support, the one end of said tube slidably engaging in the portion of the bore of reduced diameter in the carrier 58 for the tubular member 55 to have movement into and out of said latter member. The outer end o' tube 56 is closed by a. plug 60 (Figures 13 and 14) removably mounted in and flush with the outer end of the tube by a pin 6I extended through an opening diametrically through the plug and the ends engaging in diametrically opposite perforations in the tube 56, the opposite ends of the pin being reduced in thickness and providing the same with opposite plain faces, as shown at 6I in Figure 15, the pin being of a length so that the reduced ends extend beyond the outer surface of the tube. The inner end of the plug from diametrically opposite sides of the mounting pin 6I converges toward the axis of the plug, as at 62, the juncture of said inclined end walls with the side Wall terminating substantially ush with the lower wall of diametrically opposite discharge orices 'I'he connection of the supply tank 38 63 in the tube, and thus arranging the end of the tube as a nozzle. The opening and closing of the tube orifices andthereby the discharge of the liquid from the nozzle is controlled by a valve comprising a. sleeve 64 slidable onthe tube 56 and having a pair f diametrically opposite ports 65 alined-with the tube orifices 63 by the extended reduced ends 6 I of the plug mounting pin engaging in diametrlcally opposite elongated recesses 66 cut into the end of the sleeve, whereby the plug 60 is adapted to be mounted in the tube and retained therein against longitudinal displacement by the shoulders formed by the reduced ends engaging with the sleeve wall. The sleeve ports are placed into and out of register with the tube oriflces by adjusting the sleeve longitudinally on the tube, the sleeve being yieldingly retained in adjusted position by a key or clip of U form 6l (Figure 11) engaging diametrically opposite recesses 68 in the sleeve and frictionally engaging the tube 56. The valve sleeve is normally positioned with the outer extremity extended beyond the end of the tube with the sleeve ports out of register` "with the tube orifices, such movement being limited by the end wall of the sleeve recesses 66 engaging the extended reduced ends 6 I of the plug mounting pin 6 I, and in such position the shoulder formed by the reduced pin ends engaging at opposite sides of the sleeve recesses 66 and retaining the pin in the block and tube. The sleeve is normally retained in said position by the weight of a pair of bars 69 engaged forwardly and rearwardly of thetubes 56 and adapted to have participating movement with said tubes.

Means are provided to actuate the tubular members 55, 56 to impart telescoping movement thereto and to position the tubular member 56 in the member 55 with the one end of said mem-V bers Within the tank opening below the level of the liquid therein, as shown in Figure 4, then actuate both members to position said ends within the tank above the liquid level. as shown in Figure 5, then While maintaining the member 55 in said latter position move the member 55 outward from member 55 until the outer end engages the bottom of a receptacle R on the receptacle support, said engagement with the receptacle bottom adjusting the sleeve to register the sleeve ports with the discharge orifices of member 56 and the discharge vof the liquid into the receptacle, as shown in Figure 6, when the tubular member 56 is moved into member 55 while maintaining the discharge orifice open to and sealed by the liquid lled into the receptacle, as shown in Figure 7, when the tubular member 55 is moved relative to the tubular member 56, as shown in Figure 8, and said movement cont'nued until the ends of the members Within the tank are positionedbelpw the liquid level and a cycle of operations completed. Just prior to the movement of the discharge orifices of tubular member 56 out of the liquid in the receptacle. as

lshown in Figure 7, the sleeve 64 engages the bars' S9 and is thereby adjusted to move the sleeve to position the ports out of register with the discharge orifices, thereby trapping a portion of 'I'his movement of the members of the dis- .'II on a' shaft 12 driven from the drive shaft 32 (Figure 1) through a train of gears I3 and an intermediate shaft 14a. The tubular members 55 have a quick detachable connection with a bar 1li secured at the ends to brackets 15 slidably mounted on vertical posts 15, the tubular members 55 being releasably connected with the bar 1@ by the carrying collars 50 therefor engaging openings in the bar with an annular flange on the collars engaging one face of the bar, as shown at 58 in Figure l1, Withthe end of the collar extending beyond the opposite face of the bar and having an annular recess adapted to be releasably engaged by a U-clip 11 with the `ends and the bend of the U-clips overhanging the face of the bar. The tubular members 56 have a quick detachable connection with a bar 14 secured at the opposite ends to brackets 15' whereby the bar is slidably mounted on the posts 16 below the bar 10, the tubular members 56 being releasably connected with said bar 1l by engaging the collars 59 in openings in the bar with the flange of the collars engaging one face of the bar, as at 59', and the end of the collars extending beyond the opposite face of the bar and having an annular recess for the releasable engagement of U-clips 11 with the extremities and bend of the U-clips overhang'ng the face of the bar.

The bar 14 is operatively connected with the cam 1| by arms 18 (Figures 2 and 11) fixed to a rock shaft 19 rotatably mounted in the tank supporting brackets 34 and having link connections 80 with studs extended laterally from the bar mounting brackets 15, as at 8|, and the shaft connected and rocked from the cam 1| by a rod 82 pivotally connected at one end to an arm 83 iixed on the shaft 19 and at the opposite end connected to a yoke 84 (Figure 9) straddling the shaft 12 and carrying a cam following roller 85, the cam roller being urged into engagement with the cam by a spring 85.

The bar 14' is operatively connected with the cam 10 by arms 18' xed to a rock shaft 19 rotatable in the tank supporting brackets 34 below and in parallel relation to the shaft 19 and having link connections 80' with studs extended laterally from the bar mounting brackets 15', as at 8|', and the shaft connected with and rocked from the cam 10 by a rod 82' pivotally connected at one end with an arm 83 iixed on the shaft 19 and at the opposite end to a yoke 84 carrying a cam following roller 85.

The bars 69 for engaging and moving the valve slves 04 to closing position are arranged forwardly and rearwardly of the tubes 56 and are mounted at the ends on like brackets 69 having opposite arcuate portions to engage the posts 16 A and loosely connected therewith to permit of sliding movement on the posts by a bolt extended toward alined openings in said brackets and having a thumb nut threaded thereon, as at 01. The bars rest upon the sleeve valves 64 and thereby participate in the movement of the tubular members 55. However, in the downward movement of the discharge tubes 56 as the bars approach the top of the receptacles they engage and are supported by collars 83 adjustably mounted on the postsy 16 and thereby releasing said bars from the valve sleeves to permit movement thereof as said sleeve valves and the tubes 56 engage the bottom of the receptacles to register the sleeve ports with the discharge ports, as shown in Figures 6, '1, 10 and 14. When the sleeve valves move withthe discharge tubes out of the receptacles the sleeve valves will engage the bars 69 (Figure 7), and the weight of the bars will move the sleeves by the further movement oi.' the discharge tubes 56 out of the receptacles to move the sleeve ports out of register with the discharge orifices, and this taking place before the discharge devices are moved out of the liquid filled into the receptacles with the result that a portion of the liquid after the measured quantity has been discharged is trapped in the discharge devices which liquid serves to seal the discharge devices as well as the tank through the discharge devices from the atmosphere preventing an entrainment and mixing of air with the discharged liquid.

The filled receptacles in the interim of the moving of the discharge tubes to the positions shown in Figures 4 and 5 are transferred from the receptacle support 35 to receptacle supports 90 between a pair of resilient holding lingers 9| of a conveyer intermittently operative in timed sequence with the filling means (designated in a general way by C) tokbe transported to the closing means. This transferring means comprises a frame 92 slidably mounted at the ends, as at 93, in the supporting brackets 36 for the receptacle supporting shelf to have movement transversely above the receptacle support 35, said frame having arcuate recesses 94 in the forward end for the engagement of the receptacles.

The receptacle transferring frame is reciprocated in timed sequence with the actuation of the discharge devices by a roller 95 (Figures 1, 2, 24 and 25) carried by a lever 96 pivotally suspended from a-bracket fixed to the bottom of the table T following a cam groove in a disk 91 fixed to the shaft 12, the lever 96 having a link connection 98 with a lever 99 pivotally mounted on and extended upward from a stud xed in a standard S, as at |00, and connected at the upper end by a rod with a .yoke |02 having a quick detachable connection with the transfer frame, and whereby said frame may be readily removed for cleaning purposes, by a shaft |03 carrying trunnions |04 having a knurled head to have telescoping movement on the shaft and normally urged outward from the ends of the shaft by springs to retain reduced ends of the trunnions in openings in ears extended downwardly from the transfer frame and releasably secured in said position by Set screws |06, as clearly shown in Figures 27 and 28. A pair of brackets |01 are fixed to the outer sides and extend downward from the supporting brackets 36 for the receptacle supporting shelf 35 for the removable engagement of .a pan P to catch drippings and the contents of a receptacle which may be tipped over in transferring receptacles from the receptacle support to the conveyer.

'I'he conveyer is actuated to impart six intermittent movements thereto in timed sequence with one movement of the filling and transferring means to successively position the receptacles relative to a plunger |08 mounted in a bracket |09 fixed to the side of table T to have vertical sliding movement and reciprocated in timed sequence with the movement of the conveyer by an arm ||0 fixed to a shaft rotatably mounted in downwardly extended arms of the bracket and rked by an arm ||2 carrying a roller following a cam groove in a disk Ill fixed to the shaft 14a, the plunger at the upper end carrying a pair of spaced plates ||3 to move through openings in the receptacle supporting plates 90 of the conveyer and arranged to engage and lift\a receptacle from said receptacle support and present it to means to collapse the receptacle to close the same and apply a closure member to the closed receptacle to seal the receptacle in closed condition.

The receptacle collapsing and closure member applying means Figures 17 to 20) are operative in timed sequence with the conveyer and plunger to lift a receptacle from the ccnveyer and operative to close the open receptacle end and apply a closure member thereto and comprises a pair of slides ||4 slide-.bly mounted to have movement toward and away from each other in a portion ||5 overhanging and in spaced relation to the conveyer of a head ||6 mounted on the table T and a pair of slides ||1 slidably carried by and below the first slides to participate in the movement thereof and have independent movement relative to the first slides, the second slides being normally urged to engage a receptacle by engaging heads carried thereby forward of the first slides. The slides ||4 are pivotally connected tc blocks slidably mounted in recesses, as at H8, in lever arms ||9 pivotally supported at in upwardly and laterally projecting extensions of the head H6, and said lever arms being rocked by rollers carried by studs |2| fixed in and extended laterally from lever arms |22 integral cr connected with the arms ||9, said rollers engaging a cam groove |23 in drums |24 fixed to the shaft 32. The slides are normally in spaced position as shown in Figure 17 and as plunger |08 is actuated it engages and lifts a receptacle from the conveyer and positions the same between the slides, as shown in Figure 18, when the slides are actuated and the heads of slides ||1 engaging with and collapsing the receptacle and when collapsed a closure member of V-shape in cross section is guided by a guide |25 (Figure 17\ conforming to the shape of the closure member. over the collapsed receptacle end when the slides I |4- are brought into engagement with the closure member to clamp and seal the closure member to the collapsed receptacle end, as shown at |26 in Figure 19.

As shown in Figure 18 the receptacles are not lled to capacity with the result that when the receptacle is closed there is an air space above the contents in the receptacle, as shown in Figure 19. In the packaging of orange juice the air in said space will contaminate and cause the orange juice to quickly spoil. To overcome this disadvantage prior to closing the receptacle the air above the contents in the receptacle is displaced by an inert gas, such as carbondioxide or nitrogen. For this purpose means in the form of a jet or nozzle connected with a source of inert gas supply is arranged at the closing station. This jet or nozzle comprises a perforation or port |21 extended through the overhanging portion l5 of the head I |6 adjacent the forward end of a slide ||4 and inclines in a direction toward the opposite slide ||4 so as to direct the gas stream from said jet into the top of a receptacle adjacent one side and directing it toward the opposite side of thc receptacle. The port |21 is connected in the present instance with the gasometer 44 by a pipe |28 connected with a nipple |29 threaded into the port |21. in the present .instance through an elbow and a short pipe length as shown in Figure 20, although said pipe |28 may be connected directly with the nipple. The pipe |28 is connected with an outlet port from a chamber in a valve casing |30 connected with the gasometer by a pipe |28 connected with the pipe 48 and an inlet port to the chamber in the valve casing |30 in axial alinement with the Search litemoutlet port to which the pipe |28 is connected. I'he connection of the jet or nozzle |21 is controlled by a valve in the valve casing to shut off and open communication between the inlet and outlet ports of the valve casing, said valve being in the form of a block |3| slidable in the chamber of the valve casing and having a port therethrough adapted to be placed into and out of register with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve casing, said valve being normally urged to position the port therein out of register with the ports in the valve casing and Cause a roller |32 rotatably carried by a bifurcated portion of the valve extended from the bottom of the valve casing to engage and follow a cam |33 xed on the shaft 32 by a spring |34 coiled about a stem |35 extended through the end wall of a portion extended upward from the valve casing and in which the spring is enclosed. The cam |33 is arranged to actuate the valve against the tension of spring |34 to open the jet or nozzle |21 in timed sequence with the actuation of the receptacle collapsing means.

The closure member for the receptacle has a portion extended from opposite ends beyond the opposite sides of the receptacle and adapted to be folded about the ends of the closure member, the mechanism for electing this operation being shown in a general way at I 36 in Figure 1 and relative to which a receptacle is stationed by the conveyer and lifted from the conveyer and presented to said means by a plunger |31 similar in construction and operation to the plunger |08, but as said mechanism does not constitute an essential feature of the present invention detail description thereof is not deemed necessary.

To dissemble the discharge devices for cleansing the same they are brought to rest in the Figure 5 position when the sleeve valve actuating bars 69 are removed by unscrewing the thumb nuts 81 when the valve sleeve 64 is moved upward on the tube 56 and the mounting pin 6| for the closure plug 50 is removed permitting said plug to be removed and the Valve sleeve slipped off from the end of the tube. The securing key or clip 11' is then removed when the mounting collar 59 may be withdrawn from the actuating bar 14' and the tube 56 from the mounting collar 58 for the tube 55. 'I'he securing key or clip 11 for the mounting collar 58 for tube 55 is then removed when said collar with the tube 55 is moved downward from its mounting nipple 51 in the tank. The nipple 51 is extended through an opening in the tank from the inside of the tank and is provided with the shoulder at the end for seating in an enlargement of the tank opening and drawn thereto by a nut 51' threaded onto the nipple exterior of the tank. It will be obvious that the nipple may be readily removed by unscrewing the nut 51 therefrom.

While I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention it will be obvious that various modications may be made in construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the invention, and that portions of the invention may be used without others and come within the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In apparatus for lling receptacles, an air tight material carrying tank, means to receive and discharge the material from the tank in successive predetermined measured quantities into receptacles adapted to seal the tank from the atmosphere and prevent entrance of air through 4said discharge means into the tank by the material discharged into a receptacle and the trapping of a portion of the material therein, and an inert gas supply under pressure connected with the tank to displace the material discharged from the tank and fill the space above the material in the tank.

2. In apparatus for lling receptacles, an air tight liquid carrying tank, a device into which the liquid is lled from the tank in successive predetermined quantities and discharged therefrom into receptacles, and means to control the discharge of the liquid from said device arranged and operative during the discharge of the liquid to trap a portion of the liquid therein and thereby seal the tank from the atmosphere in the interim of the discharging of the liquid from and the successive lling of liquid into said device.

3. In apparatus for lling receptacles, an air tight liquid carrying tank, means into which the liquid is filled and discharged from the tank in successive predetermined quantities into receptaces operative during the discharge of the liquid to trap a portion of the liquid therein and thereby seal the tank from the atmosphere in the interim of the discharging of the liquid from and the successive filling of liquid into the discharge means, and an inert gas supply under pressure at all times in communication with the tank to displace the liquid discharged from the tank and ll the space above the liquid level in the tank.

4. In apparatus for lling receptacles, an air tight liquid supply tank, an air tight ller tank having a connection with the supply tank, float controlled valve mechanism in the ller tank to control the connection thereof with and deliver the liquid from the supply tank to and maintain a predetermined quantity of liquid in the filler tank, means to discharge the liquid from the ller tank in successive predetermined measured quantities adapted to trap a portion of the liquid therein after the discharge of the predetermined quantity of the liquid to seal the filler tank from the atmosphere through the discharge means, and an inert gas supply under pressure at all times in communication with the supply and ller tanks and ,maintaining the space above the liquid in said tanks filled with inert gas.

5. In apparatus for filling receptacles, the combination with a liquid carrying tank having a connection with a source of liquid supply and oat controlled means for regulating said connection to maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the tank, of means to measure and discharge liquid from the tank in successive predetermined quantities, comprising a tubular member slidably mounted in an opening in the bot-A tom of the tank with one end open to the tank and the other end closed, said member being adapted to be reciprocated to position the open end Within the tank below and above the liquid level in the tank, a tube extended through the closed end of and opening at one end t3 the tubular member to receive liquid with the tubular member from the tank and having sliding movement relative to the tubular member to discharge the liquid from the tubular member, and means to control the discharge of the liquid from the tube.

6. Apparatus for filling receptacles as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer end of the tube is closed and has discharge orices through the Wall within the closed end, and the means to control the discharge of the liquid from the tube comprises a sleeve slidable on the tube having ports in the wall thereof adapted to be placed into and out of register with the discharge orices of the tube by adjustment of the sleeve on the tube.

7. In apparatus for lling receptacles, a liquid carrying tank, a tubular member reciprocatory in the bottom of and opening at one end to the tank and closed at the opposite end, a tube mounted to reciprocate in the closed end of and open at one end to the tubular member, said tubular member and tube adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of liquid from the tank and the tube to discharge the liquid from the tubular member, and means to control the discharge of the liquid from the tube.

8. Apparatus for lling receptacles as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tube has discharge orices through the side wall adjacent the outer end, a plug engaged in and closing the outer end of the tube, the inner end of which plug tapers from opposite sides toward the axis of the plug, means to removably mount the plug in the tube and position the same with the tapered walls inclining toward the discharge orifices of the tube, and the means to control the discharge of the liquid from the discharge orices of the tube comprising a sleeve slidable on the tube having ports through the wall thereof, the mounting for the closure plug in the tube being arranged to position the sleeve to aline the sleeve ports with the :.*L

discharge orices of the tube and the sleeve ports adapted to be placed into and out of register with the discharge oriees of the tube by adjustment cf the sleeve on the tube.

9. In apparatus for filling receptacles, a liquid carrying tank connected with a source of supply, means controlled by the quantity of liquid in the tank to regulate the connection of the tank with the source of supply and maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the tank, a .1

T QCeptacle support spaced a predetermined distance below the tank, and means relative to which a receptacle is adapted to be positioned on the receptacle support to discharge a predetermined measured quantity of liquid from the I tank to the receptacle on the support, comprising telescoping tubular members supported to have participating reciprocatory movement, one tubular member being slidably mounted in the bottom of and opening at one end to the tank and ..1

adapted to be positioned with said end below or above the liquid level in the tank, and the second tubular member arranged with nozzle means at the outer end and having reciprocatory movement relative to the rst member, said second i' member during the movement thereof outward from the rst member adapted to engage the nozzle means with the receptacle on the support and thereby actuate the nozzle means to open the discharge means to the receptacle and discharge the liquid in the tubular members into the receptacle while maintaining the nozzle immersed in the liquid discharged into the receptacle, and means to actuate the nozzle means during the movement of the second tubular member into the first member to shut off the nozzle means from and trap a portion of the liquid in said second tubular member prior to the withdrawal of the nozzle means from the liquid in the receptacle to maintain the tank sealed from the atmosphere through the discharge means.

10. In apparatus for lling receptacles, an air tight liquid carrying tank, a receptacle support spaced a predetermined distance below the tank, means to discharge the liquid from the tank in successive predetermined measured quantities extended through the bottom of the tank and carrying nozzle means at the outer end normally shutting oif the discharge of the liquid therefrom, means to support and reciprocate the discharge means relative to the tank .to position the inlet thereto below and above the level of the liquid in the tank to iill the discharge means with liquid from the tank and relative to a receptacle on the receptacle support and during the movement toward the receptacle engage the nozze means with the receptacle and actuate the same to open the discharge means to discharge the liquid into the receptacle; and during the movement of the discharge means away from the receptacle maintaining. the nozzle means immersed in the liquid filled into the receptacle, and means to actuate the nozzle means to shut ol the discharge means and trap a portion of the liquid in the discharge means to seal the tank from the atmosphere through the discharge means, and a source of inert gas supply under pressure connected with the tank to fill the space above` the liquid level therein with said gas.

1l.. In apparatus for filling receptacles, the combination with a receptacle support, and a liquid carrying tank connected with a source of liquid supply superposed in predetermined spaced relation to the receptacle support and having means controlled by the quantity of the liquid in the tank to regulate the flow of liquid to and maintain the liquid at a. predetermined level in the tank, of a pair of tubes connected at one end to have telescoping movement, one tube slidably mounted in the bottom of and open at one end to the tank, and the second tube having a discharge orifice at the outer end, means to rciprocate said tubes and move the tubes to position with one end of the tubes below the liquid level in the tank to receive liquid from the tank and to position with said ends above the liquid level in the tank and move the second tube into and out of a receptacle on the receptacle support while maintaining the first tube against movement, a sleeve slidably and yieldingly mounted on the second tube to have limited movement outward beyond said tube and having a port adapted to be out of register with the tube oriiice when positioned to extend outward beyond the tube, and means to engage and normally urge the sleeve to position beyond the tube adapted to be released from the sleeve at a predetermined point in the movement of the second tube into the receptacle, and said sleeve adapted to abut the receptacle prior to the end of the movement of the tube into the receptacle and thereby moved to register the port therein with i the tube orifice, and said sleeve adapted'to be engaged with the means to urge the same beyond the tube at a predetermined point in the retracting movement of the second tube out of the receptacle and trap a portion of the liquid in the tube.

l2. In apparatus for filling receptacles, the combination with a receptacle support, and a liquid carrying tank connected with a source of liquid supply superposed in predetermined spaced relation to the receptacle support and having means controlled by the quantity of the liquid in the tank to regulate the iiow of liquid to and maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the tank, of a pair of tubes of different diameters, one tube slidably mounted in an opening in the bottom of and open at one end to the tank,.a support for said tube and in which support the secondtube is slidably mounted with one end open to the first tube to connect the tubes to have telescoping movement relative to each other and said second tube having discharge orifices at the outer end, means to reciprocate said tube support and position the iirst tube with the 1end within the tank below the liquid level to receive liquid from the tank and to position above the liquid level in the tank, a reciprocatory support for the second tube to impart telescoping movement to the second tube relative to the first tube as the first tube is moved to position below the liquid level in the tank, participating movement with the rsttube as the latter is moved above the liquid level in the tank, and then'movement outward from the first tube relative to a receptacle on the receptacle support, a sleeve slidably and yieldingly mounted on the second tube to have limited movement outward beyond said tube, said tube having ports arranged to be out of register with the discharge orifices of the tube in the outward position of the sleeve and to be positioned in register with said tube orifices by inward movement of the sleeve on the tube, means to engaffe and normally urge the sleeve to position with the ports out of register with the tube orifices and adapted to be released from the sleeve at a predetermined point in the outward movement of the second tube relative to the first tube,

said sleeve being adapted to abut the receptacle ports out of register with the tube orifices at a predetermined point in the retracting movement of the second tube and trap av portion of the liquid in the tube to seal the tank from the atmosphere through said tube.

13. In apparatus for iilling receptacles, the combination with a receptacle support and a liquid carrying tank superposed thereto connected with` a source of liquid supply and having means therein controlled by the quantity of liquid in the tank to regulate the connection of the tank with Ithe source of supply and maintain the liquid at substantially the same level in the tank, of means to discharge the liquid from the tank in successive predetermined measured quantities, comprising a pair of tubes of different diameter, one tube sl-idably mounted in the bottom of and open at one end to the tank and the second tube connected at one end with the outer end of therst tube to have telescopingY movement therewith and having a discharge orice .f

to engage and position the sleeve to extend beyond the tube with the sleeve port out of register with the tube orice, and means to reciprocate the second tube relative to the iirst tube andinto and out of a receptacle on the receptacle support,

the movement of the tube into the receptacle 'releasing the sleeve positioning means from the sleeve and engaging the sie-eve with the receptacle bottom and thereby adjusting the sleeve to register'the sleeve port with the tube orice to discharge the liquid into the receptacleand maintaining the discharge orifice immersed in the liquid filled into the receptacle during the retrograde movement of the tube out of the receptacle, and the sleeve engaging its positioning means while the sleeve is immersed in the liquid in the receptacle to adjust said sleeve to position the sleeve port out 'of register with the tube orice and trap a portion of the liquid in the tube to seal the tank from the atmosphere through the discharge means;

14. In apparatus` for filling receptacles, the combination with a liquid carrying tank connected with a source of supply and having means to regulate the supply of liquid to and maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the tank and a receptacle support below the tank, of means to discharge the liquid from the tank in successive measured quantities, comprising a pair of telescopic tubes of different diameters, one tube being slidably mounted in the bottom of and open at one end to the tank and the second tube having a discharge orifice, a sleeve having a port mounted on the second tube to have yielding sliding movement to place the sleeve port into and out of register with the tube orifice, means carried by and relative to which the second tube is movable to normally engage and position the sleeve beyond the end of the tube with the sleeve port out of register with the tube orifice, a support for the engagement and support of the sleeve positioning means adjacent the top of a recep tacle on the receptacle support to release said means from the sleeve, means to independently reciprocate the tubes to successively position the one end of the tubes below and then above the level of the liquid in the tank and while maintaining the first tube in said latter position move the second tube outward from the rst tube into a receptacle on the receptacle support in abutting relation with the bottom thereof and engage the sleeve positioning means with its support to release the sleeve therefrom as the tube enters the receptacle, and said sleeve as the tube abuts the receptacle bottom being adjusted to register the sleeve port with the tube orifice to discharge the liquid from the tubes into the receptacle, and then while maintaining the tube orice inmiersed in the liquidlled into the receptacle imparting movement to the second tube out of the receptacle and the sleeve into engagement with its positioning means and adjust the sleeve to shut off the tube orice and trap a portion of the liquid in the tube to seal the tank from the v atmosphere through the discharge and measuring means.

15. In apparatus for filling receptacles, an air tight liquid supply tank, an air tight filler tank having a connection with the supply tank arranged with means controlled by the quantity of liquid in the ller tank to regulate the flow of liquid thereto from the supply tank and maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the ller tank, means to discharge the liquid from the filler tank in successive measured quantities adapted to seal the tank from the atmosphere through the discharge means by the discharged liquid during the discharge of the liquid therefrom and to trap a portion of the liquid therein to seal the tank from the atmosphere and prevent entrance of air into the tank through the discharge means after the discharge of the measured quantity of liquid, and an inert gas supply under pressure at all times in communication with the ller and supply tanks to displace the liquid discharged from 'said tanks and flll the space above the liquid level therein.

16. In apparatus for lling receptacles, a receptacle support, a liquid carrying tank superposed to the receptacle support, means to discharge the liquid from the tank to receptacles on the receptacle support, a driving shaft, means to operatively connect and actuate the discharging means from said shaft, a frame slidably supported to have reciprocatory movement transversely of the receptacle support to transfer filled receptacles from the support, and means to releasably connect and actuate said frame from the drive shaft in timed sequence with the operation of the discharge means including a shaft extending below the frame having trunnions slidably engaged upon the ends to releasably engage perforations in ears on the frame.

17. In apparatus for filling receptacles, the

combination with a receptacle support and a 1 liquid carrying tank connected with a source of liquid supply and having means controlled by the quantity of liquid in the tank to regulate the connection of the tank with the source of supply and maintain the liquid at a predetermined level in the tank, of a series of devices for discharging the liquid from the tank in successive measured quantities, each of said devices comprising a pair of tubes with one tube slidably mounted in the bottom of the tank and the second tube connected with the first tube whereby the tubes are adapted to have movement relative to each other, bars connected with and carrying said tubes supported to have movement in a direction longitudinally of the tubes, a drive shaft, and means to connect said bars with vthe shaft and transmit the rotary movement of the shaft to reciprocatory movement of the bars and tubes and actuate the bars and tubes in timed sequence to each other to position the tubes to open them to the liquid in the tank, and then while maintaining the first tubes in said position actuating the second tubes relative to the first tubes to discharge the liquid from the tubes and into and out of receptacles on the receptacle support.

18. Apparatus for filling receptacles as claimed in claim 17, whereinl the rst tubes slidable in the tank are of larger diameter than the second tubes, and means to releasably connect the tubes with the bars comprising ilangcd collars fixed to i the tubes loosely engaging openings in the bars with the collar flanges in abutting relation to a face of the bars, and the collars having an annular reduced portion arranged with one wall ush with the opposite face of the bars, keys engaged with the reduced portion of the collars and overhanging the bars to releasably connect the bars with the collars, the first tubes slidable in the tank being seated in a portion of increased diameter of the opening in their supporting collars and the second tubes slidably engaging the portions of said collar openings of smaller diameter,

19. Apparatus for filling receptacles as claimed in claim 1'7, wherein the second tubes are arranged with discharge oriflces at the outer ends, sleeves slidably mounted on said second tubes having ports adapted to be placed into and out of register with the tube orifices to control the discharge of the liquid from the tubes and adapted to be adjusted to extend to a predetermined extent beyond the ends of the tubes with the ports out of register with the tube orifices, means carried by the sleeves tofrictionally engage and maintain the sleeves in adjusted position on the ends ofthe tubes, means on the bar supports for I engagement and support' of said sleeve adjusting and thereby adjust the sleeves to register the sleeve ports with the tube orifices and permit of the discharge of the liquid from the tubes, and said sleeves as the tubes are moved out of the receptacles engaging the sleeve adjusting means and thereby adjusted to move the sleeve ports out of register with the tube oriiices.

20. Apparatus for filling receptacles as claimed in claim 17, wherein the means to connect the tube carrying bars with-and actuate the bars from the drive shaft comprises pivoted levers having a link connection at one end with the bars, cams on the drive shaft, and rods carrying cam followers connected with the opposite ends of the levers.

21. In apparatus for nlling receptacles, a liquid carrying tank and means to discharge the liquid from the tank into receptacles in successive predetermined quantities. comprising tubular means slidably mounted in an opening in the bottom of the tank having an inlet opening to the tank and a discharge outlet exterior of the tank. a nozzle having discharge orifices slidably mounted on said tubular means and normally positioned to place the orifices out of communication with and close the discharge outlet. means to reciprocate the tubular means to position the inlet thereto below the liquid level in the tank to fill liquid therein and above the liquid level and relative to a receptacle into which the liquid is to be lled positioned in alignment with the discharge outlet, and the nozzle during said move ment adapted to be engaged with the receptacle and thereby position the nozzle with the orices in communication with the discharge outlet and discharge the liquid from the tubular means, and means operative after the discharge of the liquid and during the movement oi.' the tubular means to position the inlet below the liquid level in the tank to actuate the nozzle to place the nozzle orices out of communication with andclose the discharge outlet.

LEWIS B. WINTON. 

